Healthy body weight before becoming pregnant

In 2009, 18.7% of women in their reproductive years had an obese body mass index (BMI=30 or greater). An additional 24.5% were overweight. In that same year, rates were similar among women who became pregnant. Do you know your body mass index (BMI)?

A healthy mom has the best chance for a healthy baby. Because about half of all pregnancies are unplanned, women need to be at their optimal weight during their reproductive years.

Being heavy during pregnancy increases a woman’s risk for poor pregnancy outcomes such as birth defects, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, prolonged labors, and cesarean sections and their children and more likely to be obese in adulthood. Obese women also report higher rates of postpartum depression and lower rates of breastfeeding. Women who are heavier have more problems with infertility and oral contraceptive failure.